[WEBINAR] Marketing 2.0 for Retailers: Social, Local, Mobile (SoLoMo) in 2013

This webinar is now available through the One Step Retail webinars page.

In this action packed webinar, retailers will learn key steps to improve their presence and sales through social, local and mobile strategies to produce increased sales in 2013.

Find out how to maneuver the rapidly evolving shopping trends, establish a SoLoMo game plan and utilize existing resources to start your year off right.

February 5^th, 2013 (Tuesday)

11am – 12pm PST
LIVE WEBINAR IS NOW CLOSED 
#ExpandMyStore2013

 

SnapRetail’s Christian Kratsas, Social Media Manager
Take your online traffic and turn it into in-store traffic! Learn how to use Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to get customers to “like” you online and in person!

About SnapRetail: SnapRetail provides a web-based solution that makes it easy for local retailers to engage with customers through email, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. Unique product features such as an interactive planning calendar, monthly promotion kits and hundreds of pre-written and professionally designed templates and social media posts make SnapRetail the choice for thousands of retailers looking for a one-stop-shop for their marketing needs.

PocketYour Shop’s Brian Downard, CEO and Founder
Learn how consumers are shopping in and outside of stores, with a focus on the latest trends in mobile retail and how you can leverage those trends to benefit your business.

About Pocket Your Shop: Pocket Your Shop provides mobile strategy, design, development and management for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

King Retail Solution's Andrew Swedenborg, Executive VP

Learn steps every retailer can take to maximize your retail space, with a focus on maximizing your real estate to grow your customer base and increase your sales.

About King Retail: King Retail’s award-winning environments leave your consumer feeling great about their experience in-store and looking forward to their next shopping trip. As builders, King Retail knows every step and every detail that it takes to realize a design with integrity.

RMSA’s David Downard, Retail Consultant
Find out how to utilize your existing tools and goal setting to manage your store and improve your customer’s experience for increased sales in 2013.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up somewhere else,” Laurence J. Peter

About Dave Downard: Dave has over 25 years experience working with retailers to analyze and improve store performance, helping hundreds of retailers achieve their business goals.


Registration link: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/678248982


Hosted by One Step Retail Solutions, One Step Retail Solutions has helped thousands of retailers nationwide achieve their retail goals through top of the line retail technology. With a consultative and personal approach, One Step is a top resource for 5 of the top point of sale / retail management systems available on the market. Having been in business for over 27 years we have evolved relationships with specialists industry-wide and strive to bring educational resources to our retailers and other retail friends.

We hope that this webinar will help you to start your year off right and achieve your 2013 goals!


SoLoMo image source: socialmediatoday.com

Happy Holidays from One Step Retail Solutions!

One Step Reels in Their Newest Retail Pro Client: The Fly Shop

We are proud to welcome The Grizzly Hackle Shop, The Fly Shop and Targus Fly to the One Step Family! As the North Wests premier fly and outfitter resource, their presence through their on-line stores and resource guides have been gradually expanding their reach beyond the great North West.

If you are ever looking to take a fly fishing adventure, take a trip to one of their several stores or through their helpful websites to find all of your supplies and gear.

“We fish for a living and have fun for a living” - Wayne

Sounds like a great life!

 

Experience LA Without Even Leaving the Airport

We are excited for our clients that are poised to take part in the much anticipated Tom Bradley International Terminal opening Spring of 2013 in LAX. While high-end airport shopping is not a new concept, Westfield has teamed up with Mayor Villaraigosa to bring several dozen Los Angeles favorites to this new terminal. Angelinos have been waiting for the day LAX would get a face-lift and our dreams are at least partially coming true.

The participating dining and retail locations were carefully curated and appear to bring together some of the best in LA, everything from Kitson to Umami and LAMill will give a passer through or arriving tourist an immediate taste (pun intended) of the LA scene.

La Mer, Smashbox, Fred Segal, Kitson, Umami and LAMill all within a 25,000-square-foot space? When can I book my next international flight out of LAX?!

For more information and concept images, click here.

Routes to Finding Funds for a New Retail Store [Guest Article]

Getting a business off the ground isn’t easy. Whether you want to own a boutique or are looking to run a brand new designer retail store, finding the right funding is a necessity. Starting a new business is expensive and in order to get your retail store up and running, you’ll need enough in the bank to start and stay in business.  While this is a process that requires many considerations, here are 3 of the routes you can take to find capital for your new retail store.


Credit Cards
While it is important for small business to accept credit cards, having a credit card for your business is one way to fund necessary expenses. Using a credit card can be risky if you don’t anticipate being able to pay off your balances in the near future, e.g. 90 days. A business credit card is how some small businesses have been able to fund operations and choosing the right card is important. Make sure you look for a business credit card with permanent rates that are low and an introductory rate that is even less. To keep the credit card debt you will acquire until you are able to pay it all off, be frugal and buy only what you need.


Bank Loans
There are a few different places new businesses can look for a business loan. Acquiring a loan can be a bit of a challenge, however, if your credit score is low. You’ll also need a well-put-together business plan to present to financial lenders that incorporates financial predictions to demonstrate you’ll be able to make your loan repayments. The SBA (Small Business Administration) backs loans – from the 7(a) Loan to Microloan programs – that are open to any small business, but there are a number of qualifications. In recent times, small banks are more likely to take chances on small businesses such as a new retail store.

Personal Investment
Some startups and new businesses are able to fund a new business on their own, from life savings or other means. If you can’t, turning to friends and family is an option. When you turn to your loved ones for financial backing, you’re risking your future success and their financial future. Make sure you have a business plan in place with financial projections and are able to have a contract in place. Letting those who support your new retail store ventures should be made aware of when they will receive their money again, though it could be lost, and have a clear understanding of what their financial contribution’s status is as a loan or if you’ll offer equity.
Taking these steps can help you avoid miscommunications down the road.

One of the most important things when finding funds for your retail store is making sure you estimate correctly so you don’t end up with less capital than you need or too much that results in greater debt. While it is often difficult for new business owners to get a business loan, plan out your business’s estimated startup costs, financial projections and crunch some number. Make sure you are ready to present your business plan to lenders and investors, no matter whether they are a family member or major banking institution.

 

Author Bio: Erica Bell is a small business writer who focuses on topics such as comparing small business loans and small business credit card offers. She is a web content writer for Business.com. Find them on Facebook!

3 Tips for Implementing Loyalty Programs This Holiday Season [Guest Blog]

According to Inc., 65% of marketers have implemented a loyalty program, and for good reason. Current customers spend, on average, 67% more than customers who are buying from your business for the first time. And acquiring those new customers costs 5 to 10 times more than selling to a current customer.

It’s quite clear just how valuable your loyal returning customers are to your business now, and in the future. While direct mailing tactics or a seasonal email campaign can keep your current customers interested, a loyalty program is the most strategic way to keep them interested and spending long after the holidays are gone.

Determine Your Customers’ Needs

The first step in creating a loyalty program is determining what your customers need. These needs may vary depending on the time of year; for example, the holiday rush is a lot more stressful and time-consuming than it is to shop for March birthdays. Figure out what your customers need from your company to get them through the holidays in one piece.

·         Be sure you’ve researched and developed an in-depth customer profile for your company. Are your customers young adults, middle-aged moms, or retirees? Each group will have different needs from a rewards program, so know which one you’re working with.

·         Know how your customers use your product or service, and then determine how you can add value to what your customer is buying. Holiday retail rewards could include free gift wrapping, free shipping, or extended terms on product returns.

·         In “The Loyalty Effect,” Fred Reichheld claims that a 5% increase in customer retention can result in a 25 to 100% increase in profitability.

Offer Actual Value

In order to turn new customers into returning customers through a loyalty program, you need to offer them something with actual value. A points system that creates unattainable goals or a promotional game they have no chance of winning will frustrate your customers and can cause them to drop out of your program, which could then potentially drive them away.

·         If you offer a points-based program, keep it simple: allow customers to earn a free item for every $50 spent, or give them $10 off for every $100 spent. For a holiday promotion to bring in more sales, consider doubling your rewards until the end of the holidays.

·         If your products tend to be purchased less frequently, or your services aren’t conducive to a points-based system, you can implement a tiered system instead that increases rewards over time or with more purchases. Offer each tier special holiday rewards, move lower-tier customers up a level for the holidays, or give new program participants a special gift for joining during the season.

·         No matter what kind of loyalty program structure you choose, it needs to provide customers with attainable, valuable rewards that they can redeem quickly and frequently.

Partner Up

There is a limit to how many rewards and discounts you can offer your customers on your own. Collaborating with another company can enable you to offer additional rewards beyond the scope of your own business and capitalize on the holiday shopping season.

·         Coalition programs are strategic partnerships formed to increase customer retention and company both for all partners involved. The coalition can last for the length of the holiday season, or become a permanent partnership.

·         If you understand your customer’s needs, you can find other companies that serve your customer and would be valuable partners in a coalition program.

Customer loyalty programs increase customer happiness and retention by offering them rewards and extra services they can use during the holidays. Whether you offer a coalition program, a points system, or a tiered rewards structure, make sure that it adds value to your customer relationships during the holidays and all year long.

Megan Webb-Morgan is a web content writer for ResourceNation. She writes about small business, focusing on topics such as business sales. Follow Resource Nation on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Teamwork Retail Feature in POS News Blog

 

See full article HERE

For more information on Teamwork Retail

Retail Metrics Webinar Series are Now Available – Free Download

Retail Metrics, our wildly successful 6 part webinar series are now available to download for free. You will have consistent access to these educational webinars designed for the everyday retailer, both large and single-store.

View this series of 6 educational webinars for free CLICK HERE.

Retail Metrics is presented by One Step Retail Solutions and Dan Jablons from Retail Smart Guys and covers many key topics, including: 

• Not enough cash to pay your bills?
• Too much inventory?
• Not enough of the right inventory? 
• Excessive markdowns ruining your bottom line?
• Not sure if you’re doing the right thing with your business?